Share 1 cable line with 2 computers - is it possible?

[SevenUp]

I'm not a computer genius.

We want to get Road Runner Cable. 2 computers in our house, one will use cable 95% of the time, the other one is for another guy who needs to check some E-Mails and download large files here and there.

We only want to pay once, but is it possible to share cable with 2 computers?
There are 2 things that would work:
A) When the other guy wants to play we would share the speed for a while
B) I log out and he logs in
Does A or B work? or Both?
Is there a link that tells you exactly what you need to do, and even more important, what you need to accomplish this (another hud or something?!).

Please help me. I want cable.

 

[JackMDS]

General description and basic info on the issue can be found in the following two links:

Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.
anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48">Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?</a>

 

[SevenUp]

Ok, this option seems to be the best. If I follow this, I can use 2 computers with my Road Runner connection?
=================================================================================================Get a Cable/DSL Router (like the SMC barricade). Install one NIC in each computer. The Cable modem is connected to the WAN input of the Router with Straight cable. The computers connect with Straight cables to the regular Router ports. Each computer is configured with TCP/IP Network protocol. You should have nice fast Network with DHCP server, and Hardware firewall.

Here is an example courtesy of Russ: http://www.tacube.com/pages/samplenet.doc

Cost about $$80-100 for a Router (Most of the products includes two cables) + $15 NIC.

A big Plus: Most Routers has the capacity to clone your original network card ID, so the cable system does not experience any change.

Pro: No need for any additional software. In 20 minutes, you will have Cable/DSL network running. Hardware firewall.
The router has DHCP server inside that means automatic assignment of network components (no need to configure IP numbers).
No trouble from Cable Service Provider.

Cons: None really, unless you can not afford the increase in cost.
=================================================================================================A few Q's:
1) When I go to the store, can I just say "show me routers"? Are there differnt ones? How do I know what to buy? How do I know fi it can copy ID's?
2) What's a NIC?
3) So, I just buy the router, connect them to...what? Where do I put the router in, and where its cables?
I'm a newbie, but please help me.
3)

 

[JackMDS]

The Router is a stand alone Box (Size of a medium size book), you can put it anywhere you like. You connect the cable that came with the cable modem to the WAN input of the Router.

You install NIC in each computer, and get two Straight CAT5 cables. One cable goes from one computer to the Router; the second cable goes from the second computer to the Router too.

Every thing comes with manuals, and pictures.

What to buy? It is like cars who can tell?

However, if you want easy one stop, go to CompUSA, this week they have a Sale with rebates from Linksys. You can get two NICs for $9.99 (A/R), and a four port Cable/DSL Router for 79.99 (A/R). Add to it two "CAT5 straight" cables in the length that you need to get from the computers to the Router, it will be another few $$$. So for about $110 + tax (A/R) you are all done.

To configure the computers setting for Network look here:

Setting Up, Windows 98 / 98-SE.

Networking and sharing between computers.

 

[ojai00]

<< 1) When I go to the store, can I just say "show me routers"? Are there differnt ones? How do I know what to buy? How do I know fi it can copy ID's? >>



I know that the SMC can defintely do it because I'm using the Barricade with Roadrunner. The Linksys and Netgear should be able to do it for you as well. Just ask if the router is capable of MAC cloning.



<< 2) What's a NIC? >>



A NIC is short for Network Interface Card. You need that card in order to connect to a network.



<< 3) So, I just buy the router, connect them to...what? Where do I put the router in, and where its cables? >>



Just attach a CAT5 straight through Patch cable from your main computer to port 1, and the same from the second computer into port 2. Use a CAT5 straight through Patch cable to connect from the cable modem to the WAN port on the router.

Hope this helps.

 

[mastertech01]

Sounds like a sweet setup.. Im using an alternative. Dual NIC in my box, and single in daughters, with a network hub. Works fine, easily configurable with WInXP